Luba Muzichenko San Francisco Real Estate

San Francisco SF Realtor

San Francisco Historical Photos

It's Finally Here… Inauguration 2009 BABY!

By

Still Waiting by eugevon.

Still Waiting, originally uploaded on by  eugevon

It’s been eight LONG years.  Time to PART-AY!

If you want to celebrate the End to Bush and the Beginning of an Era of Change with Barack Obama, you have plenty of options in the City.  This San Francisco Realtor would love to join the festivities, but I’ll be sitting at home, fighting a cold and keeping my germs to myself.  I’m considerate like that.

Your 2009 Inauguration options in San Francisco (compiled from About.com):

Inauguration West at Metreon
Metreon – City View Terrace – 4th and Mission
6:00p to 10:00p
Presented by 102.9 FM KBLX. A Bay Area celebration for the inauguration of Barack Obama, raising money for local charities. Live video feeds and film clips from Barack Obama: The Man and His Journey. Entertainment includes Morris Day and the Time, DJs, local celebrities and special guests.

Inauguration Simulcast at Civic Center
Civic Center Plaza – In front of San Francisco City Hall
7:00a to 12:00p
Join NextArts for the simulcast. No entrance fee but organizers ask that you bring new socks or underwear as a charitable donation. Items must be new.

YBGF Broadcast of Inauguration
Yerba Buena Gardens Esplanade – Mission Street between 3rd and 4th
8:00a to 2:00p
In partnership with Westfield, Yerba Buena Gardens will broadcast the Inauguration live on two JumboTrons near Mission Street

Inaugural Ball at Electric Works
Electric Works – 130 8th Street
6:00p to 10:00p
Benefiting the San Francisco Food Bank, suggested donation $10. Inauguration speech will be re-broadcast at 7:00p, with dancing from 8:00p on. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Formal dress suggested but not required. (Changing rooms and borrowed finery will be available for those coming directly from work.)

San Francisco Democratic Party – Inauguration West
The Green Room – War Memorial Opera House – 401 Van Ness Ave
5:30p to 8:30p – $25 / RSVP by ordering tickets using above link
Join the San Francisco Democratic Party, Emerge CA, Good Ol’ Girls, Democracy Action, Democratic electeds, campaign volunteers and Democratic activists for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music — to celebrate Barack Obama’s Inauguration as President of the United States

Inauguration Viewing at SF Public Library
Koret Auditorium at the Main Library (100 Larkin St at Grove)
Doors open at 8:45a, tickets can be obtained in advance at the General Collections Reference Desk (3rd floor)

Green 960 Inaugural Ball
Yoshi’s San Francisco – 1330 Fillmore (at Eddy)
Doors open at 5:00p – $20
Featuring comedians Will Durst & Johnny Steele with live music by J Thompson with Dave Ellis on Sax and Tommie Bradford on drums

Inauguration Benefit for Grid Alternatives
Cafe du Nord – Swedish American Hall
7:00p – $22 (adv) / $25 (door)
Benefit for Grid Alternatives, empowering communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services. Food provided by Radio Africa and Kitchen. Rebroadcast of of inauguration at 9pm, DJs.

Inauguration Party at Elbo Room
Elbo Room – 647 Valencia Street
9:00p – Day of show tickets only ($7)
Featuring Forro Brazuca and Cullann’s Hounds

Rock Barack
Paradise Lounge – 1501 Folsom Street
Celebrate on the first day of the Obama Administration, 99-cent drafts, 99-cent well drinks from 6p to 9p. $10 donation at the door, with proceeds going to Glide Foundation of San Francisco.

Inaugural Night Celebration & Art Exhibit
Garage Gallery – 655 Bryant
GarageGallery will be presenting an Obama environment for people to gather and celebrate this momentous occasion. Share a night of celebration and art with your fellow citizens, as we look forward to a future of hope. Experience a multi-media environment of music, Obama’s Inaugural Speech, photography of Obama’s campaign and art inspired by him.

Throw a Shoe at Bush/ To Obama: No War
Justin Herman Plaza – Embarcadero/Market – Jan 17 (12p to 3p), Jan 18 (12p to 3p)
Civic Center – Jan 20 (7a to 12p)
Shoes provided or BYOS, prizes, music. More information at the Courage to Resist website

Tags: , , , ,

SF Snapshots: San Francisco Living

By

San Francisco from the tower by | El Caganer.

San Francisco from the tower , originally uploaded on by | El Caganer

It feels like summer.  I’ve been wearing sandals all week and having a helluva a time staying focused on work.  I’m the first to admit that really, we need some rain – but I still can’t help but enjoy wearing a t-shirt in January.    

As for this weekend, I’ll be working.  I’m meeting a couple of buyer clients to check out a few of the good values on the market, and Sunday, I’ll be hosting an open house at 469 Clipper from 2–4pm.  Saying this place is a fixer is an understatement.    Oh, and according to the MLS, it sold for $1,020,000 in July of 2008, but today, you can get it at the bargain basement price of $939,000 or $81,000 LESS than the seller paid for it.  But their loss is your gain, or someone’s gain.  

But just because I’ll be working, doesn’t mean YOU can’t go out and have a good time. 

Don’t forget to check back next week for another awesome San Francisco photo, and if you’d like to throw your photos into the pool of candidates for my SF Photo Friday collection, tag your SF Photos from Flickr with LubaSF.

Happy Friday!

Tags: , , , ,

SF Snapshots: San Francisco Living

By

Mission San FranciscoSunday by Cepreu K.

Sunday, originally uploaded on by Cepreu K

No matter how cold it is, there’s nothing like a day at the beach with your dog.  I’m here pretty often, but my fingers are usually too numb to even think of fumbling with a camera.     

This weekend, you probably won’t catch me at the beach.  The year is off to a busy start (seriously, there really ARE people out there buying and selling San Francisco real estate) so I’ll be running around looking at properties with buyers and maybe, just maybe, writing an offer or two. 

Don’t forget to check back next week for another awesome San Francisco photo. 

And if you’d like to throw your photos into the pool of candidates for my SF Photo Friday collection, tag your SF Photos from Flickr with LubaSF.

Happy Friday!

Tags: , , , ,

SF Snapshots: San Francisco Living

By

Prop 8 Protests: San Francisco, CA, November 15, 2008 by Pargon.

Prop 8 Protests: San Francisco, CA, November 15, 2008, originally uploaded on by Pargon

If you’re a regular reader, I’ve been gone for a little while.  Even though I love writing this blog, I needed a little break to find my mojo again.  And so during the time away from blogging I’ve been working extra hard.  Accepting offers, rejecting offers, writing offers (getting them both rejected and accepted) and more.  Of course, along with working extra hard, I’ve also been playing extra hard and found myself taking a few small vacations as well as a bigger and longer jaunt across the pond to Germany and Israel.  I went kayaking.  I went scuba diving in the Red Sea.  I rode a camel in the Negev and Sinai Deserts.  I shopped.  I relaxed.  I explored.  And most of all, I enjoyed coming hom to the City that I call “home!”

And now that I’m done playing, I’ll be focusing again on providing you loyal readers (and those of you that have just happened to stop by) with interesting and informative information.  And occasionally, a little fun as well. 

Don’t forget to check back again soon for more posts about San Francisco Real Estate.  And don’t forget to check back next week for another awesome San Francisco photo.

And if you’d like to throw your photos into the pool of candidates for my SF Photo Friday collection, tag your SF Photos from Flickr with LubaSF. 

Happy Friday!  See you soon!

Tags: , , , ,

SF Natural Hazards Maps

By

I’m always getting asked about natural hazards. 

In case you don’t already know – San Francisco is kinda known as prime earthquake country.  But where you live has an impact on how an earthquake might affect you (and how much shaking your home will do.)

So I thought I’d throw a few maps up here for readers that are curious about the location of natural hazards in San Francisco.

Click on the map for a bigger view, and to be taken to the source of the map.

San Francisco Liquefaction Map
San Francisco Liquefaction Map

San Francisco Natural Hazards Map

San Francisco Natural Hazards Map

My personal favorite, which is sort of a hazard because building a house on water is never a good idea, is a map of all of the creeks, marshes and landfill throughout historical San Francisco. This map is from the 1890’s. As with the others, click to see the map full size, and to see the source.

San Francisco Historical Creek Map

San Francisco Historical Underground Water Location

And finally – if you’re curious about the last little rumble you felt – check out this map which will show you the size and magnitude of the most recent earthquake.

San Francisco Recent Earthquakes

Special Map

Tags: , , , ,

Open Shutter to the Past: San Francisco in Pictures – Warm Day at Ocean Beach (1943)

By

Welcome back to Photo Friday – my little way of taking a break from San Francisco Real Estate and instead blogging about our great City’s past instead. All photos are published with permission from the San Francisco History Center and San Francisco Public Library.

The word around the weather channels is that this weekend is going to be NICE in the City!  And if the last few days are any indication, I believe it!  Today, the weather is supposed to hit the mid to HIGH 80’s in parts of SF.

And when the weather heats up around SF,  people in flock to Ocean Beach to cool down.  They’ve been doing that for ages.  And this weekend will be no different. 

But with all of the parks in the City, to get your outdoor fix this weekend, you don’t have to go to the beach.  But I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you do. 

No matter what you decide to do this weekend, wear sunscreen, drink lots of water and don’t drink and drive – I hope you have a great time and a safe time. 

See you back here Tuesday when the 3 day holiday is but a memory!   

Tags: , , , , ,

Open Shutter to the Past: San Francisco in Pictures – Cows in Glen Park (1909)

By

Cow in Glen Park Canyon

Welcome back to Photo Friday – my little way of taking a break from San Francisco Real Estate and instead blogging about our great City’s past instead. All photos are published with permission from the San Francisco History Center and San Francisco Public Library.

I’ve always had a soft spot for cows.  In fact, I envy those with the willower to be vegetarians.  I love meat.  I love beef.  But I definitely love cows.  (And yes, I’m just city slicker enough to make “moo” noises at them when I drive by them on the back roads of the Bay Area.)

I found this photo taken in Glen Canyon where the Good Brother Dairy, among several other dairy companies, had dairy farms.  The notes attached to this photo read:

“Valborg C. Tietz, owner of picture below. The lady pictured was my mother-in-law: Elise Beneke, who later married Alexander William Tietz in 1910. Her husband Alexander Tietz was crushed by 2 railroad cars at the Santa Fe yards in 1920, where he worked. He was taken out beyond the ‘Three-mile Limit’ where he was found. There never was anyone charged with throwing the wrong switch. The family was paid $9000 for his death by the Santa Fe R. R. She never re-married, and lived with her son Wilhelm or ‘Bill,’ who was my husband. We married in 1955. She lived with us for 25 years, and died at age 86 in 1976. This picture was taken of her in the Glen Canyon, where there was a dairy for years. The cows were quite tame, as you can see. The Good Brothers owned the dairy.”
“ca. 1910. originally part of the San Miguel Rancho, by the 1890’s there were several dairies located in the Glen Park Canyon. (Loaned by Mrs. Tietz)”.

Poor Mr. Tietz.  I’m kind of curious how you can be crushed by not one, but TWO railroad cars, but I think it’s unlikely that I really want to know. 

I hope you have a safe and happy weekend!  And be sure stay away from railroad cars. 

 

 
Tags: , , , , ,

Open Shutter to the Past: San Francisco in Pictures – Barbary Coast (1913)

By

Welcome back to Photo Friday – my little way of taking a break from San Francisco Real Estate and instead blogging about our great City’s past instead. All photos are published with permission from the San Francisco History Center and San Francisco Public Library.

It’s been a busy busy week!  And it’s going to be a busy busy weekend!  I’ve been hustling to get several listings ready for market and helping several buyers on deadlines to buy homes in San Francisco.  So being that I need a little break, this week’s Photo Friday post is all about trying to break out of the daily grind have a good time.

Back in 1913, the Barbary Coast had calmed down a bit from it’s earlier days of gambling, prostitution and crime.  But it hadn’t calmed down THAT much:

NEWSCOPY:  “Such goings on! Deah, Deah! Good folks talked about the old Barbary Coast in the same way they do today, and with better reason. This is a busy street scene east of Kearny st., on Pacific, with the sin and gin mills going full blast to make the ‘hot spot of the world’ a bit hotter and more worldly.”

Even if you can’t get your hands on a Schlitz for a nickel, you can get out there and have a good time this weekend.  You can always find something to do in the City!  Be safe and have fun and have a happy Friday!

Open Shutter to the Past: San Francisco in Pictures – Ocean Beach Cleanup (1948)

By

 

Welcome back to Photo Friday – my little way of taking a break from San Francisco Real Estate and instead blogging about our great City’s past instead. All photos are published with permission from the San Francisco History Center and San Francisco Public Library.

The word around the weather channels is that this weekend is going to be NICE in the City!  Today, the weather is supposed to hit the mid 80’s in parts of SF.

And when the weather heats up around SF,  people in flock to Ocean Beach to cool down.  Unfortunately, these same beachgoers bring with them trash, bottles, cigarette butts and general filth.  A photo I took with my cameraphone on a hot April day gives you an idea of the aftermath. 

And apparently, people have been trashing the beach since long before I was born. 

Today’s Photo Friday shows the “Sand Cleanup Machine!”  The newscopy that went with the photo in 1948:

“BEACH CLEANUP STARTS-There shouldn’t be any broken glass, cigaret [sic] butts or other annoying refuse in the sands of Ocean Beach any more, now that the city’s new sifting and cleaning machine is in action. The device, which cost $9433, went to work yesterday afternoon. It will take a month to go through all the sand from the zoo to the Cliff House.”

Hmmm… I’m not sure how well the machine really worked, but if people trashed the beach then like they do now, I’m guessing that machine wore out after just a few days of cleaning. 

Anyhow – it’s too nice outside to be writing long blog posts, so this about wraps things up for the day.  Get out there and enjoy the nice weather!

Oh, and please, if you do come to the beach to escape from the heat in the rest of the City, please – be coureous and take your trash with you when you leave. 

Thanks and Happy Friday! 🙂

Open Shutter to the Past: San Francisco in Pictures – West Portal Tunnel (1920)

By

Welcome back to Photo Friday – my little way of taking a break from San Francisco Real Estate and instead blogging about our great City’s past instead. All photos are published with permission from the San Francisco History Center and San Francisco Public Library.

I swear – it seems that more and more often, idiots people are driving their cars right into the MUNI tunnel at West Portal Station.  In fact, there was ald 87 year old woman who did it yesterday, there was a drunk guy that did it a few months ago. 

The tunnel was built in 1918, and contrary to what it seems is becoming popular belief, it was always meant for streetcars. 

Over the years, the West Portal area, like most of San Francisco, has gone through a major transformation.  When this photo was taken, the area was just starting to be developed by local self-made developer Fernando Nelson.  By the 1930’s, West Portal Avenue had come to look similar to the way it looks today, with little shops that line the avenue.  By the 1960’s and 1970’s, it was determined that San Francisco needed to improve its public transportation (as if that still isn’t the case today) and so the old West Portal tunnel was demolished and in 1976, a new one was built in its place, along with the surrounding metro station. 

And it’s been there ever since.  The tunnel, people, is just for streetcars.  Please, please, please stop trying to drive through it! 

Have a good weekend, and if you’re driving, please, try to remember to stay on the road and out of MUNI tunnels.Â